thesis

Aspects de la vie religieuse dans le diocèse de Bayonne : 1905-1965

Defense date:

Jan. 1, 1999

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Institution:

Bordeaux 3

Authors:

Directors:

Abstract EN:

This study brings out the main aspects of religious life in the diocese of bayonne, from the separation of the church and the state in 1905 to vatican ii council. If it deals with religious traditions, different forms of popular piety, the parish deeds, the influence and authority of the clergy, it also tries to bring to light the ecclesiastical answers brought by the diocesan authority in the face of events and crisis that stand out as landmarks in this period. The pastoral choices are dictated by the respect of pontifical instructions and, beyond the diocesan scope, by the politico-religious situation in the country. After the anxiety and distress caused by the separation, the diocese commits itself on a new basis. Lord bishop gieure sets up a policy of "catholic defense". The improvement of relations between the church and the state, the rediscovery of the notion of total devotion, take part in the catholic renaissance of the 30s. But it is mainly after world war ii and under lords bishop terrier's leadership that a powerful, pastoral dynamics comes over and appears in the expansion of the militancy of "action catholique", the liturgical revival and the reform of the structures in the diocese. From 1957 onwards, lord bishop gouyon starts a daring pastoral (launching of diocesan workshops, setting up a pastoral according to areas) which aims at adapting the diocese to the social changes arising at that time. The enthusiastic implementation of the conciliar reforms - especially liturgical - in the diocese is quickly tempered by the crisis that reaches the church : declining religious observance, falling number of ordinations, opposing militants, upheavals of may 1968. . . In spite of sound religious traditions and an important church guidance, religious indifference increases. The diocese finds it difficult to fight against the attacks of modernity.

Abstract FR:

Cette etude met en lumiere les principaux aspects de la vie religieuse du diocese de bayonne, depuis la separation entre l'eglise et l'etat de 1905, jusqu'au concile vatican ii. Si elle s'interesse aux traditions religieuses, aux diverses formes de piete populaire, aux oeuvres paroissiales, a l'influence et l'autorite du clerge, elle s'efforce aussi de situer les reponses ecclesiales apportees par l'autorite diocesaine, face aux evenements et crises qui jalonnent la periode. Les choix pastoraux sont dictes par le respect des directives pontificales et, au dela du cadre diocesain, par la situation politico-religieuse du pays. Apres les inquietudes et les bouleversements issus de la separation, le diocese s'engage sur des bases nouvelles. Monseigneur gieure met en place une politique de "defense catholique". L'amelioration des rapports entre l'eglise et l'etat, la redecouverte de la notion d'apostolat, participent a la renaissance catholique des annees 30. Mais, c'est apres la seconde guerre mondiale que se produit dans le diocese, sous la conduite de monseigneur terrier, un puissant dynamisme pastoral qui transparait dans l'essor du militantisme d'action catholique, le renouveau liturgique et la reforme des structures diocesaines. Monseigneur gouyon entreprend, a partir de 1957, une pastorale audacieuse (lancement des chantiers diocesains, mise en place d'une pastorale de zone) qui vise a adapter le diocese aux mutations sociales qui surviennent alors. L'application enthousiaste dans le diocese, des reformes conciliaires -notamment liturgiques- est vite temperee par la crise qui touche l'eglise : baisse de la pratique religieuse, chute des ordinations, contestation des militants, commotions de mai 1968. . . Malgre les fortes traditions religieuses, l'important encadrement religieux, le detachement religieux s'accelere. Le diocese resiste difficilement aux assauts de la modernite.